But most importantly, the couple say they realised that being obese, especially for Stephen who has type 2 diabetes, is a sure-fire death sentence.

He said: “There was no way out. We have to get better and get fitter and sort our lives out. I could have been dead.”

Luckily, on standby though were Fat off – Fit on bootcamp duo Paul and Mel Loader, who last week picked the Beers up from their home in Plymouth, Devon, and spirited them to a secret location in East Sussex.

Trainer Paul and nutritionist Mel are experienced at dealing with cases of super-obesity.

“We knew it was a challenge but it was achievable,” says Paul. “We’ve seen lots of cases like Michelle and Steve and we know we can turn their lives around.”

Stephen, 5ft 5ins tall, weighed 32st with an incredible measurement of 5ft 8ins around the hips.

Share this video

Watch Next

But after seven days of rising at 7am to exercise for five hours, they’ve already noticed massive differences.

Stephen said: “It was a struggle at the start and still is now, but things are falling into place.

“I couldn’t touch my knee a week ago. Even waking up at 7am is unheard of for me. But look at me getting up now.

“I used to be breathless but I’m not any more.

“For the first time in five years I’ve been able to run. It feels fantastic.” And with that Paul takes hold of two bungee ropes and runs across the gym growling, while Michelle looks on giggling with disbelief.

She said: “It’s amazing to see him running. I haven’t seen him run since we were kids at school.”

Stephen joked: “We haven’t had sex for ages but if the weight keeps coming off...who knows.”

On TV Stephen was shown having to be cleaned by a carer at a cost of £8,000 a year.

But this week he was able to take a shower, standing and washing himself. “I still need a walking stick, but hopefully with time who knows,” he grinned.

Michelle is proud of herself for beating her time on the rower. She said:n “I want Stephen to get fitter but I want it for myself as well.”

They both are in agreement that their old diet had to go. Michelle and Stephen used to spend £15 on kebabs a day, four days a week.

A typical day was a fry-up or fish and chips for lunch. Steve could eat two kebabs in the evening followed by biscuits, crisps and snacks.

Now they eat three clean healthy meals a day.

But with getting fit on the menu, so is getting back to work.

Michelle, who has never worked, is also determined to get a job although she’s not sure yet doing what.

Stephen already knows what he wants to do though. He said: “My dream job is to help people like Paul and Mel do. They save lives.

“I want to help people and tell them I’ve been there. I know lots of people like me.

“Some people want to do something with their lives and some want to sit on their arse all day and watch Jeremy Kyle.”

Beer we go: Stephen is lifting barrels instead of cans (Photo: JOHN ALEVROYIANNIS / The People)

But the pull of reality TV stardom is also there and Stephen begins to waltz around the room as he says: “I’d definitely go on Strictly if they offered. I want to go in the Big Brother house too and see that Katie Hopkins.”

Asked what he would say to outspoken Katie, who led the charge in criticising Stephen and Michelle, he punches a boxing bag.

Stephen now weighs 29st 8lbs while Michelle is 21st 5lbs.

And after already losing just under two stone in a week Stephen has his eyes on a bigger prize.

“I want to go for the world record of weight loss, which is 7st in six weeks. A T-shirt I picked up to wear yesterday was massive. That spurred me on.”